Assessing the safety of children at risk of maltreatment: decision-making models.

Child protective service caseworkers must make difficult decisions about the safety of maltreated children. Decision-making models for helping staff members balance the dual roles of child protection and family preservation are increasing. Results of a review of 10 models suggest that although some criteria overlap in these models, there are also wide differences in definitions, purposes, and the level of research support for the criteria being used to guide decision-making.